5. Statement by the Chair of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee: Brexit Priorities

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:01 pm on 17 July 2019.

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Photo of David Rees David Rees Labour 4:01, 17 July 2019

Then, can I thank all Members for their contributions? Can I also put on record my appreciation of the clerking team, because they do tremendous work, and this has been very complex—it's not just the clerking team; it's the team representing the Assembly in Brussels as well, the research team. They do a tremendous amount of work and, when you consider the to-ing and fro-ing that's going on, the ability they have to keep up with what's happening both in Westminster, in Cardiff and in Brussels—I think they do a fantastic job on behalf of this Assembly in keeping us updated on what's going on, and I put full praise to their efforts.

It's been an interesting set of contributions, but I think what's clear is that the work of the committee is critical to understanding the implications for Wales. I do appreciate Ministers—all of them, and I know that the Brexit Minister is there—for their frank and open discussions with us, and that has to continue because, if we want to serve the people of Wales, we have to have the answers and that discussion. And it's always been good in the committee that Ministers have come and done that for us. I look forward to them continuing to do so, and I look forward to them reminding their UK counterparts that they can also come and do so, because sometimes it's not so easy to get them to come as well. Thank you.